(10-07-2024, 09:05 PM)83Austin83 Wrote:

(10-07-2024, 12:37 PM)TheDuke007 Wrote: I agree.  Orlando has minimal leverage.  Getting the Jaguar games would be a big economic benefit to Orlando plus great exposure for both the city and the stadium.  If Orlando doesn't get the games, they get nothing.  How much can they really bluff?  Besides, I don't think it will take much arm twisting to have Orlando make renovations as most of those renovations would remain and benefit Orlando going forward.  They are already making renovations without even knowing if the Jaguars will go there.  The Jaguars are the ones with the better leverage because they have the option of Gainesville which is both closer to Jacksonville and has a larger stadium.  The Jaguars will likely play the two cities off each other to get the best deal.  

I do think Khan will ultimately select Orlando in hopes of expanding the fan base, but the idea that they are going to get on their knees and beg Orlando is ridiculous.  If Orlando gets too greedy, they just go to Gainesville.  Orlando knows this, so they'll likely make a very attractive offer.

Gainesville is not a great option for the Jags outside of proximity. The Jags would play second fiddle to the Gators, the natural grass field would be torn up and even ion the Jags average 60,000, that means the stadium is 1/3 empty. Never mind the lack of hotels in the area.

Gainesville is only 72 miles from Jacksonville and has 66 hotels.  In comparison, Orlando is 141 miles from Jacksonville, which would more likely require a hotel stay rather than driving ~ 70 miles via a return trip from Gainesville.  From a convenience standpoint, Gainesville is a much better option.

I used to like going to Orlando but I got sick of them shoving the LGBTQ thing down everyone's throat in their attempt to become the San Fran of the Southeast.

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